This House (Alison Moyet song)

"This House" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released in 1991 as the fourth single from her third studio album Hoodoo. It was written by Moyet and produced by Dave Dix.

"This House"
Single by Alison Moyet
from the album Hoodoo
B-side"Come Back Home"
Released30 September 1991
GenrePop
Length3:56
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Alison Moyet
Producer(s)Dave Dix
Alison Moyet singles chronology
"Wishing You Were Here"
(1991)		 "This House"
(1991)		 "Falling"
(1993)

Background

Having recording her second studio album Raindancing while living in Los Angeles, Moyet returned to live in England after completing a world tour. Moyet's record company, CBS, wanted her to continue producing pop hits but this left the singer feeling artistically compromised and under pressure to deliver. During the period after returning to England, Moyet began a songwriting partnership with Pete Glenister, who had been Moyet's guitarist for part of the Raindancing tour. Keen to have more artistic freedom, she suggested to CBS that Glenister should produce her. Muff Winwood of the label's A&R division granted Moyet permission to record the album she wanted to, with Hoodoo being released in April 1991.[1][2]

"This House" was released as the album's third single in September 1991. It was the most successful single from Hoodoo, reaching No. 40 in the UK. It remained in the Top 100 for five weeks.[3] The song had originally been recorded and released as the B-side to Moyet's 1987 non-album single "Love Letters". For Hoodoo, it was re-recorded with Dave Dix as producer.[4] On her official website, Moyet has cited the song as one of her favourites from Hoodoo.[5]

Release

"This House" was released by Columbia on 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, cassette and CD in the UK and across Europe.[6] The B-side, "Come Back Home", was exclusive to the single.[7] Two additional tracks were included on the 12" vinyl and CD versions of the single; Moyet's previous hit singles "Love Letters" and "That Ole Devil Called Love".[8][9]

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single. Later in 2009, Moyet performed the song on The Paul O'Grady Show to help promote her compilation The Best of: 25 Years Revisited.[10]

Critical reception

Describing the song as "gospel-tinged", American magazine People commented: "When she sings with minimal acoustic backing, as on "This House" or "Wishing You Were Here," she showcases her gifts best."[11] The Greyhound (Loyola University Maryland) stated: "Without missing a beat, Moyet slides earily into the beautiful balladry of "This House"."[12] Musician magazine wrote: "...she also understands that style is meaningless without emotional content. From the anger of 'Rise' to die anguish in 'This House,' that's what keeps this collection from turning into just another singer's showcase."[13]

Tom Demalon of AllMusic picked the song as a standout track, commenting: "...she's still more than capable of expressing heart-aching vulnerability, though, especially on the gorgeous 'This House,' where a split-second pause gives way to her passionately imploring, 'Who will take your place?'"[14] Loz Etheridge of God is in the TV noted: "Those who only know her for her earlier works will be somewhat bewildered at the depth of emotion displayed on the likes of the tortured 'This House'."[15] Adrian Janes of Penny Black Music stated: "'This House' is something of a Gothic castle of a song, an eerie but understated beginning with piano and acoustic guitar suddenly disrupted by drums and a big, emotive chorus that in the end leaves a feeling of it all being a bit overwrought."[16]

Track listings

7" single

  1. "This House" – 3:53
  2. "Come Back Home" – 3:20

7" single (UK promo)

  1. "This House" – 3:53
  2. "This House" – 3:53

12" single

  1. "This House" – 3:53
  2. "Come Back Home" – 3:20
  3. "Love Letters" – 2:50
  4. "That Ole Devil Called Love" – 3:02

Cassette single

  1. "This House" – 3:53
  2. "Come Back Home" – 3:20

CD single

  1. "This House" – 3:53
  2. "Come Back Home" – 3:20
  3. "Love Letters" – 2:50
  4. "That Ole Devil Called Love" – 3:02

Personnel
  • Alison Moyet – lead vocals, backing vocals, backing vocal arrangement
  • Dave Dix – keyboards and Zing piano on "This House"
  • Graham Henderson – piano on "This House"
  • Hugh Burns – guitar on "This House"

Production

  • Dave Dix – producer of "This House", arrangement, mixing and programming on "This House"
  • Alison Moyet – arrangement and programming on "This House", producer of "Love Letters"
  • Pete Glenister – programming and mixing on "This House", producer of "Come Back Home"
  • Chris Dickey – engineer and mixer on "This House"
  • Neil Brockbank – engineer and mixer on "This House", engineer on "Come Back Home"
  • John Fryer, Barry Hammond – engineers on "This House"
  • Steve Lillywhite – mixing on "Come Back Home"
  • Steve Brown – producer of "Love Letters"
  • Pete Wingfield – producer of "That Ole Devil Called Love"

Other

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 32
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 40

Cover versions

Gwyneth Herbert recorded a version of the song on Janette Mason's 2014 album D'Ranged.[19][20]

References
  1. "Hoodoo –". Alisonmoyet.com. 22 April 1991. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. Hoodoo – 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  4. Raindancing – 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
  5. "Hoodoo –". Alisonmoyet.com. 22 April 1991. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. "Alison Moyet – This House at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  7. "Alison Moyet – This House / Come Back Home – Columbia [Sony] – UK – 657515 7". 45cat. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  8. "Alison Moyet – This House (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. 30 September 1991. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  9. "Alison Moyet – This House (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  10. "Alison Moyet This House October 2009". YouTube. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  11. "Picks and Pans Review: Hoodoo". People.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  12. The Greyhound – Features: Moyet's bluesy Hoodoo transcends Yaz – Brian Cassidy – 30 March 1992 – page 6
  13. "Musician – Google Books". 15 January 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  14. AllMusic Review by Tom Demalon (27 August 1991). "Hoodoo – Alison Moyet | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  15. "Alison Moyet – Alf (1984), Raindancing (1987), Hoodoo (1991), Essex (1994) Deluxe Re-issues (BMG Modest!) | God Is In The TV". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  16. "Alison Moyet – Profile". Pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  17. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 51, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  18. "Dutchcharts.nl – Alison Moyet – This House" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  19. "D'Ranged". Janette Mason. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  20. Fordham, John (31 July 2014). "Janette Mason: D'Ranged review – classic R&B and soul with a jazz twist". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
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